Interactive comparison

Compare ownership, not brochures

Purchase price is only one part of the decision. Figures are indicative estimates at the typical market year for each model.

Decision factor	Cessna R172K Hawk XPView aircraft profile	Piper PA-28-181 Archer IIView aircraft profile	Piper PA-28R-201 Arrow IVView aircraft profile
Typical market year	1979	1979	1979
Estimated purchase	€175k	€144k	€170k
Annual cash cost at 80 h	€65k	€67k	€75k
Five-year cash outlay	€499k	€479k	€543k
Cruise speed	130 kt	121 kt	140 kt
Advertised range	575 nm	522 nm	700 nm
Seats	4	4	4
Realistic payload	321 kg	343 kg	393 kg
Runway need	415 m	490 m	520 m
Data confidence	Preliminary — verify source data before deciding	Normalized for direct comparison	Preliminary — verify source data before deciding
Main trade-off	The R172K Hawk XP combines 4-seat piston-aircraft utility with about 334 NM reported range and about 115 kt reported cruise, while payload, runway and operating-cost figures remain indicative and should be verified for the specific aircraft before making a decision.	Predictable, comfortable and easy to support, but training history and avionics can outweigh age.	Useful for complex training and touring, but T-tail handling, gear condition and refurbishment quality create a very wide market.

Popular head-to-head guides

Start with the decision pilots are actually researching

Each guide adds mission context and links back into the live comparison and Finder.

Two premium piston singles with very different answers to speed, fuel, cabin design and ownership complexity.

A fast, refined travelling aircraft against a slower utility platform built around payload and access.

Two leading single-engine turboprops that optimise for different combinations of speed, cabin volume and payload.

Modern diesel efficiency and composite design compared with a conventional turbocharged piston twin.

A modern Jet A trainer and tourer compared with the most familiar four-seat training platform.

No generic winner